Conformation that leads to unsoundness

Back at knee

Extra stress on front of knee joint and flexor tendons, may lead to carpitis, carpal chip fractures, or bowed tendons

base wide

more stress on inside of foot, may cause ringbone, sidebone or splints

base narrow

causes plaiting, possible interference or stumbling, more stress on outside of foot, may lead to ringbone, side bone, splints

toed in

causes paddling, more stress on outside of foot, may cause ringbone, sidebone, or fetlock osteoarthritis, or sesamoiditis

toed out

causes winging in, possible interference, and more stress on the inside of the foot, which may lead to ringbone, sidebone, fetlock osteoarthritis, or sesamoiditis

over at the knee

sometimes associated with contracted tendons. if severe may cause stumbling. may lead to carpal osteoarthritis

bench knee

uneven stress on splint and cannon bone, may lead to splits

knocked knee

uneven stress on splint and cannon bone and inside of feet, may lead to splits or carpal osteoarthritis,

standing under in front

tends to move on forehand, may be prone to stumbling, reduces ability to bring knees up when jumping

camped out in front

extra stress on flexor tendons and heels

sickle hocks

hock is less able to fully extend, more stress on plantar ligament, may lead to curb, bone spavin or hock arthritis

straight hock

less able to flex and absorb shock, making collected gaits more difficult. extra stress on hock joint may lead to bone and bog spavin, suspensory ligament injury or thoroughpin

hocks camped out behind

less able to engage hocks, making collection difficult with less speed and power

cow hocks

stresses on inside of hock and hind leg, may lead to bone and bog spavin or thoroughpin

bowed hock

stresses on outside of hock and hind leg, may lead to bone and bog spavin or thoroughpin

straight stifle

angle of stifle joint predisposes joint ot stress, stifle joint inflamation and locking stifle

contracted heels

lack of of frog pressure causes poor circulation, associated with club foot and navicular disease

flat soles

causes tender feet may lead to inflammation of coffin bone

upright pasturns

increase concussion may lead to concussion-related ailments such as navicular disease, sidebone or ringbone

club foot

increase concussion may lead to concussion-related ailments such as navicular disease, sidebone or ringbone

long sloping pasterns

more stress on flexor tendons and suspensory ligament, may contribute to bowed tendons, fetlock joint may strike ground resulting in injury to sesamoid bone

straight shoulder

less range of motion in shoulder and foreleg, causing short stride and less ablitiy to fold knees well in jumping, increased concussion

mutton withers

difficulty in fitting saddle and holding it in place. may be combined with other faults such as short, upright shoulders or being build downhill

high withers

difficulty in fitting saddle, prone to wither sores and galls

long back

less ability to carry weight, more vulnerable to injury. may have more springy gaits and more scope over fences

short back

prone to forging especially with long legs

slab-sided

less room for heart and lungs, may lack endurance, also saddles may slip back

flat croup

often associated with hind legs set too far back, causing difficulty in engaging hind legs and in collection, but increase efficiency in movement because of fewer strides needed

short steep croup

hindquarters less efficient because of less length of muscle requiring more strides to cover ground. often associated with tipped pelvis, sickle hocks or standing under

high in hips

tends to move more on forehand, difficulty with balance and especially collection,

ewe neck

causes difficulty in flexion and carriage of head and neck

short neck

head and neck are less effective as a balancer due to decreased lateral suppleness and ability to bend, associated with a short stride

too long neck

more difficult ot rid on contact, tendency to raise neck or over-flex and hollow back, roaring is more common in these horses

parrot mouth

may have difficulty grazing, if molar are misaligned, may have difficulty in chewing and require more frequent dental care

undershot jaw

lower incisors are farther forward, grazing is more difficult, if molars are misaligned, may have difficulty in chewing, and require more frequent dental care